Questions about nursing??????

I am really thinking of getting into nursing, but I have a lot of questions. Are there a lot of male nurses today and how are they treated? Is a 2 year degree just as good as a 4 year degree? And how can i find out what kind of nursing is for me?(critical care, tramua, etc.)These are just a few questions i have and if anyone can help I would be greatful

Fireman, in my area there a few male nurses, but it continues to be a predominately female profession. But, don't let that influence your decision. The male nurses that I know love their work and seem to be very competent. As far as a 2 year versus 4 year degree, the 2 year will get you in as a RN. The 4 year programs have more leadership, community health, and theories, etc. than 2 year programs. But, I work with many 2 year RN's who are very good at what they do. 4 year RN's tend to get the management positions, and in some areas are paid a little more than 2 year RN's. I'm sure you have many more questions, but this will get you started. I hope this helps a little.

May 22, '99

Fireman - I'm one of three male nurses in an ED. There are about 43 nurses on staff in the ed. I have not had a problem with anyone, based on sex, or vice-a-vesra. I don't think that it makes a difference personally. As far as what area? That will be up to you. Good Luck !

CEN

May 22, '99

I am of the male persuasion who has been an RN for 16 yrs with almost 15 in critical care. I have a 2 year degree. There is more clinical nursing in the 2 year program than in the BSN where you get more theory. I work with 2 and 4 yr program and some are good in both groups and some aren't. Just like any other job. Plus if you do want to go into management or persue a higher degree, BSN is the route.
Here in Austin, the University of Texas BSN program has a critical care elective. You might check out the programs in your area to see what kind of "specialized" areas they have electives/education programs in the area you're interested in.
Our hospital hires 2 grads from UT each year and more than that take the elective. I'm prejudiced, but critical care is what you should try first. GOOD LUCK in your pursuit.

I've worked with a lot of male nurses and I have no problem at all. Although some female nurses have a hard time getting used to it. Especially when it involves delegating. Apparently there still is some kind of male superiority thing going on with some female nurses. I have no problems with that. I do see about 90% of the guys going for jobs like: critical care, supervisory positions and ER. I work in pediatrics and the male nurses gravitate to these positions within our hospital. I wonder why that is? And in regards to 2yr vs. 4 yr. education, I see almost no difference anymore. It used to be that the 2yr or diploma (showing my age here!) had far more clinical experience and the 4yr grads had more theory and "book" knowledge. Now, it seems like all of them have just about the same nursing education and clinical experience. At least in my area. Hope this helps ya.
susa

May 22, '99

Fireman, I'm a male RN that became a nurse after being a Marine, it was a big change going from a job with about 90% men to a job with around 90% women. I think that is the national average. Nuring is not for everyone to be a nurse male or female you have to have a little extra (the extra is not really defined but every good nurse has it, it sets us apart from the other disciplines in health care). I started out as a CNA in a nursing home, then became an EMT until my first code then I knew I had to be a RN. I've ben a Cardiac Nurse ever since graduation, from telemetry, ccu/open heart icu and now cath lab. Personally, I feel that the best education is the 3yr hospital based diploma program, however an educaton is what you make it. A little more advice work in a hospital when you are in school and try diffrent areas
that you might like and find a mentor to guide you along the way, also join your professional organization when you find your niche.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

May 25, '99

Fireman, I am a male nursing student here in SD. In our class there are 50 people, and of those 50 there are 10 males. I know that in Canada they have started to require all nurses to have a BSN degree, I doubt that will happen in the U.S.. As for which area you want to go into, I was exposed to just about all of them while I was in school and have decided to get some experience on a Med/Surg floor and after that work in ICU. I graduate in December!!!!WoHOOO!!!

May 29, '99

Just one thing to add. You can get your ADN (2years..Associate Degree in Nursing) and go to work and get your BSN as you work if that is what you decide to do. There are lots of programs available now that let you fit schooling into your schedule, and some even offer many classes over the Net.
OK, 2 things to add! You will see as you go thru nursing school and go thru all the different areas what you are most interested in and can go from there. If you go the ADN route, there are all the other classes you must also take...Anatomy and Physiology, Interpersonal Relations (speech)
and lots of basics. It is very tough to take them all along with the nursing classes, and
almost impossible to work full time and take all the classes. Some ADN RNs got a lot of the prerequisites out of the way first, for one year, or at least quite a few of them, then went to nursing, adding up to 3 years.
It is not impossible to do it in 2, just lots of work, especially if you have a life!!!!
Good luck!!!!!!!!! Nurseyperson

Jul 20, '99

Fireman- Hi, I am a new graduate RN. I work in a burn intensive care unit. On our night shift we have more male nurses then female. As one of the few females working with all males, I enjoy working with them. It's fun to joke with them, burp with them, and fart with them. Since you are already involved in the fire department maybe you should look into working in a burn unit. It might be fun to see the people after you rescue them. Lots of them get better and go home. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 21, '99

Dear nrsen99-your professionalism has something to be desired. We all enjoy commaraderie, but the description of your bodily functions on a hospital floor is a bit much. Please remember the reason you became a nurse....

Jul 21, '99

Erbn Girl----How dare you question my professionalism? Me and my unit only support professional nurses and other staff. Yes, we enjoy having fun. We also enjoy the friendships we have made at work. No, we arn't always stone cold nurses like you. You obviously don't work in a field as critical and stressful as an intensive burn unit. We have to do something in a twelve hour shift to keep out sanity. And you better believe we are friendly and supportive with out patient's. They love our staff. I work with some of the best critical care nurses around. We are always on top of everything when it comes to our patient's.
My mother started her nursing career as a new grad in a critical care unit and I have started my career in a critical care unit. I think that nurses that think new grads shouldn't work in ICUs are just jealous! With you right personality, common sense, education, and supportive nurses to work with any new grad can work ICU.

Jul 21, '99

Fireman, I am beginning my second year as a nursing student in NC. I am in a 4 year program and chose that program because I already had 3 years of college behind me, and I desire to get my masters and need a bachelors to do so. I'm predjudice of course but I do feel that a 4 yr. program is the best way to go. There is more room for advancement and I feel you are more well rounded. You know more behind why you do the things you do instead of just knowing how to do it. As for a field. You will get a chance to do clinical rotations in several different areas and will have plenty of time to decide while you are in Nursing school. Nursing programs prepare you to be a "general" nurse, once you graduate and choose the area that suits you then you can take extra classes and focus more on that particular area. I'm female but love to see men in Nursing. Good luck.

Jul 22, '99

i think that the average is 4% of nurses are male. i am one of 6 on my unit(3 rn 3 lpn). i have never had any problems with the women i work with, although they think of me as "one of the girls" now. I work in a telemetry unit, and feel that any new grad should work in a med-surg (or telemetry) unit to get the "basics" down. this can then lead to the high paced intensive units that many males do seem to gravitate toward. i think that one can get an idea of what they are interested in while going through clinicals. i also think that it is a must for a student to work in a medical setting while in school. this makes the transition much easier. i was fortunate to have "landed" on my unit, and learned so much that i never left.
good luck